He was black and handsome and mighty, mighty brave   Comin' from the backwoods, the grandson of a slave   He was caught for something they knew he'd never done   And he was diggin' ditches out in the burnin' sun      Working on the chain gang, no more   Working on the chain gang, no more   Working on the chain gang, no more   Working on the chain gang, no more   No more, no more, no more      Man he was a giant and iron he could bend   And he swore he'd fight them down to the bitter end   Though he was no talker his burnin' eyes would say   You may keep on tryin' can't hold me no way      Working on the chain gang, no more   Working on the chain gang, no more   Working on the chain gang, no more   Working on the chain gang, no more   No more, no more, no more      And one night he lay in waiting   Hit the guard and took the key   And before the others caught him   He jumped out and he was free   He jumped out and he was free      He made for the swamp lands it seemed a hopeless duel   They had dogs and shotguns and they were mighty cruel   But they couldn't find him, he was too smart and strong   Hiding' in the daytime, wandering all night long      Working on the chain gang, no more   Working on the chain gang, no more   Working on the chain gang, no more   ...